Nairobi Hosts Celebration of UN Chinese Language Day, Emphasizing Multilingualism, Cultural Diversity

Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Sharon Resian

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 19 - The Chinese Embassy in Kenya and the United Nations (UN) office in Nairobi marked UN Chinese Language Day on Friday, highlighting the significance of multilingualism and cultural diversity.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian and UN Director General Zainab Hawa Bangura led the celebration aimed at promoting the equal use of all six official languages within the United Nations.

Ambassador Zhou underscored the importance of UN Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20, in advancing multilateralism and fostering a shared future for humanity.

He emphasized that the Chinese language serves as a symbol and carrier of Chinese cultural heritage, enhancing global understanding of China and its people. Chinese has been an official language of the UN since its inception in 1945, making it the most widely spoken mother tongue worldwide.

"Interpreting the original meaning and intention of the United Nations from a Chinese language perspective may help people better understand the concepts of a community of shared future and win-win cooperation," Ambassador Pingjian stated.

Bangura echoed these sentiments, highlighting the central role of the Chinese language in promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity. She commended the celebration of UN Chinese Language Day since its inception in 2010, which has deepened global appreciation of Chinese culture.

The event, attended by senior UN officials, diplomats, students, and faculty members from local universities, featured traditional music from the instrument orchestra of Nanjing University in east China.

Chinese became an official language of the United Nations in 1945, but its usage within the organization was limited initially. However, after the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971, the situation improved significantly.

The date for Chinese Language Day, April 20, was chosen to coincide with Guyu ("Rain of Millet"), the 6th of 24 solar terms in traditional East Asian calendars, paying tribute to Cangjie, the legendary inventor of Chinese characters.

Legend has it that when Cangjie invented the characters, the deities and ghosts cried, and the sky rained millet, leading to the celebration of Guyu in his honor, usually around April 20 in the Gregorian calendar.